Mike Menzi Makes Kaya FC-Iloilo Debut After a series of impressive performances in training, the 24-year-old earned his first appearance in the PFL

With six minutes remaining against JPV Marikina, Alfred Osei’s number went up on the substitutes’ board, paving the way for Michael Menzi’s Kaya FC–Iloilo debut. The appearance completed a long journey into the First Team for the Benguet native, who spent last year in the B-team.

“For the past months, I’ve worked so hard. I’m overwhelmed. I’ve been looking forward to this. I didn’t expect it to happen today, but I’m happy,” said Menzi after the game, before sharing the instructions given to him as he made his debut. “Laruin ko lang daw kung ano yung nilalaro ko. At the same time na mag-stick ako sa game plan. Simplehan ko lang daw yung laro.”

“For the past months, I’ve worked so hard. I’m overwhelmed. I’ve been looking forward to this. I didn’t expect it to happen today, but I’m happy,” said Menzi after the game, before sharing the instructions given to him as he made his debut. “They told me to just play my game. At the same, to make sure I stuck to the game plan. They told me to just keep it simple.”

It’s been quite the road to his First team debut. In his freshman year in college, a young Mike Menzi tried out to be a goalkeeper for Kaya — a trial that ultimately ended in disappointment. Several years later, after successfully transitioning into standout field player for Far Eastern University, he was recruited to be a part of Kaya’s B-team. Such was the quality of his performances in the team’s title-winning run, that he was promoted to the First Team at the start of this season. Now, six games into the campaign, he has broken through for his first appearance. 

“It’s very important for Mike Menzi to get playing time. He didn’t get too many minutes, but I hope he will gain confidence from that. We’ll have lots of games, so soon he will have that time again,” said head coach Noel Marcaida. “He always trains well, so I think he deserves to have those minutes in the game.”

Despite the many hurdles he’s cleared to reach this point in his career, Menzi wasn’t getting carried away with his latest achievement.

“I’m not that satisfied. I hope the next time I get an opportunity, I’ll be able to perform better and to contribute more,” he said.

With 24 games still to play in the PFL, Mike Menzi will surely feature again in the not too distant future.